Letter: Safeline Offers Free Help

It is with great sadness that Safeline heard of the murder of Rhonda Gray by her husband, Troy Gray (“Couple Dead in Fairlee,” Aug. 14). Domestic violence is all too common throughout the nation, the state of Vermont and, certainly, our own community. Domestic violence starts very slowly with a pattern of control, including many nonviolent strategies such as verbal abuse, emotional abuse, isolation, economic abuse, threats and intimidation. Over a period of time, the strategies may begin to include physical violence, and that often continues to escalate.

Safeline would like to remind the residents of Orange and northern Windsor counties that our 24-hour toll-free number, 1-800-NEWSAFE (1-800-639-7233) is available to victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Callers may be anonymous. Our services are free and confidential and include legal, economic and medical advocacy, safety planning, emotional support, outreach, education and many other services. We encourage calls to our toll-free number in the effort to help prevent further incidents of this type of tragedy.

Fairlee — A 42-year-old man fatally shot his wife and then killed himself inside their Fairlee home early Tuesday, State Police said, just days after she withdrew a second restraining order that she had taken out against him for alleged domestic violence. Troy Gray was inside his home on Sunrise Drive around 8 a.m. yesterday when he fired one shot …